Ironing board construction



Filed Jan. 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

INVENTOR. Emanuel Rawson ATTORNEY May 14, 1963 E. RAWSON IRONING BOARD CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10. 1961 FIG.7

ATTORNEY nited States atent 3,089,266 Patented May 14, 1963 This invention relates in general to an ironing board,

and more specifically to an ironing board construction having an improved pad or cover holder and auxiliary sleeve board adapted to be connected thereto. An object of this invention is to provide an improved ironing board pad holder constructed and arranged so as to circumscribe the entire periphery of the ironing board, and which is pivotally connected thereto to swing between operative and inoperative positions.

Another object is to provide an improved hinge construction by which the holder is pivotally connected to the board so that upon movement of the holder from inoperative to operative position, the wiping action of the holder against the pad or cover is such that the latter is automatically pulled and clamped tautly in position.

Another object is to provide an auxiliary sleeve board assembly that is readily detachably connected to the holder.

Still another object is to provide for an auxiliary sleeve board detachably connected to the holder and readily adjustable in both elevation and azimuth so as to accommodate a person of any height or either hand.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the improved ironing board construction illustrating the holder in operative position, but without the pad or cover;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the improved hinge construction in which the holder is illustrated in both operative and inoperative positions;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the ironing board top and connected auxiliary sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a plan view of a main ironing board top 10 of conventional configuration having a tapering end portion 11 and an opposed squared end portion 12. Preferably the top 10 is formed of suitable metal construction or the like having a depending circumferentially extending flange 13 terminating in an outwardly turned lip 14. According to this invention a tubular holder 15 is provided to pull and clamp the pad 16 covering the top 10 taut. As shown in FIG. 5, the pad 16 is sized to overhang the ends of the top 10 and drape over a portion of the depending flange 13. In accordance to this invention the holder 15 comprises a tubular member which is shaped to the contour of the board 10 and which circumscribes the entire periphery of the board top 10 with its end portions 15A and 15B disposed in abutting position at the squared end 12 of the top 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a space 17 is provided around the entire periphery of the board between the holder 15 and the flange 13 to accommodate the pad 16.

According to this invention the holder 15 is hinged to the squared end 12 of the board top 10 for movement between operative and inoperative position. As shown the hinge 18 comprises a fixed hinge leaf 19 and a movable hinge leaf 20 connected thereto by means of hinge pin 21. Referring to FIG. 2, the fixed leaf 19 is provided with an extended portion 19A which is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the top 10. The looped pin receiving end of the fixed leaf 19 is spaced outwardly of the holder 15 and below the horizontal centerline of the tubular holder 15. The movable leaf 20 is provided with a loop end complementary to the loop end of leaf 19 to form therewith a piano hinge connection. It will be noted that the other end of movable leaf 20 is welded to each of the abutting ends 15A and 15B of the holder,

and thus ends 15A and 15B are held together thereby. In accordance with the hinge construction described it will be noted that when the holder 15 is pivoted approximately 30 about hinge pin 21, as indicated by the dotdash line in FIG. 2, ample space S is opened up to permit tucking the end of the pad 16 in position. Thus when the holder "15 is returned to operative position, as indicated by the solid line of FIG. 2, the end section 15C of the holder swings downward and inwardly along an are A to impart a wiping and drawing effect against the pad 16. This draws the end of the pad 16 taut and locks it securely in position. The balance of the pad 16 is progressively drawn tight by the holder 15 as it approaches operative clamping position. In the closed position a suitable latch 22 is provided to engage the holder '15 at its free end so as to prevent its accidental movement. 7

If desired a ball and socket hinge (not shown) may be utilized instead of the piano pin type hinge, but in either case the axis of pivot is positioned below and to the left of the center of squared end 15C of the holder 15 in order to establish the necessary relationship between the axis of pivot about hinge pin 21 and the pad wiping surface of the squared end 15C.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to '6, a small auxiliary sleeve board 25 is detachably connected to the holder 15. In accordance with this invention the holder 15 is provided with a small set of holes 26 which are pierced completely through the holder 15. Such a set of holes 26 is pro vided on either side of the holder '15, as seen in FIG. 4, to permit either right or left hand application of the sleeve board, as will be described.

In accordance with this invention a small split clamp 27 is arranged to register With one set of holes 26 to position the sleeve board 25 on the holder 15. The clamp 27, as shown, is made up of two substantially similar cast half sections 27A, 27B of substantially U- shaped cross section. As shown, the inner leg portion 28 of the respective half sections 27A, 27B is provided with projections 29 which are adapted to register with the holes 26, and the other leg portions 30 of the respec tive clamp halves are adapted to abut one another outwardly of the holder 15. Suitable fasteners, such as bolts 31, extend through the respective clamp halves to draw them together and firmly secure the halves onto the holder 15.

In the assembled position, each of the clamp halves 27A, 27B is provided with an aligned bearing opening 32 for receiving post 33 dependingly connected to the under-surface of the sleeve board 25. To renderthe height of the sleeve board 25 adjustable the post 33 may be provided with a plurality of spaced transversely extend ing holes 34 which are adapted to receive a dowel pin 35 to support the post 33 on the clamp at a desired elevation. To lock the sleeve board in position, the upper surface of the clamp 27 is provided with a depression or recess 36 adapted to receive the dowel pin 35. Thus when the pin 35 is seated in recess 36, the sleeve board 25 is prevented from turning. Thus simply by lifting the sleeve board 25 slightly, the pin 35 is disengaged from recess 36 and the board 25 can then be swung out'of the way as desired.

To position the sleeve board in assembly, a second depression 37 may be disposed normal to the first mentioned recess 36'. Thus it will be noted that the sleeve board 25 may be adjustably positioned and locked in assembly. If desired a number of such locking recesses may be provided to include a number of different positions.

In an alternate construction this assembly adjustment can be effected by substituting a serrated male and female boss 40, 41, as shown in FIG. 7, one of which is connected to the top of the clamp 42 and its complementary boss 41 connected to the post 43' of the sleeve board 44. Thus assembly adjustment is attained simply by lifting the sleeve board 44, rotating it as desired, and then lowering it to its adjusted position to again bring the serrated bosses 40, 41 into meshing relationship.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved ironing board comprising a board top having a circumscribing depending flange, a pad covering said board top, a holder for drawing said pad taut and clamping the same in position on said board top, said holder including a single tubular member shaped to extend about the full perimeter of said board top, the ends of said member being disposed in abutting position at one end of the board top to define a closed figure conforming substantially to the shape of the board top, and a hinge means pivotally connecting said holder to said top whereby said holder is pivoted between raised-inoperative positions and lowered-operative positions, said hinge including a fixed leaf secured to the flange of said board top, a movable leaf, and a hinge pin pivotally securing the movable leaf to said fixed leaf, and said movable leaf being secured to the abutting end portion of said holder, the axis of said hinge pin being positioned below and outwardly of the centroid of said tubular member so that the end portion of the holder connected to said movable leaf swings in a downwardly and inwardly arc to initially impart a drawing and holding effect on the pad as the holder is moved from inoperative to operative position whereby said holder progressively stretches and clamps the pad in moving to operative position, and means for locking the other end of the holder to the board top in the operative position.

2. An improved ironing board comprising a board top having a circumscribing depending flange, a pad covering said board top and circu-mscrioing flange, a holder for drawing said pad taut and clamping the same in position on said board top, said holder including a single tubular member shaped to extend about the full perimeter of said board top, the ends of said member being disposed in abutting position at one end of the board top to define a closed figure conforming substantially to the shape of the board top, a hinge means pivotally connecting said holder to said top whereby said holder is pivoted between raised inoperative positions and lowered operative position, said hinge including a fixed leaf secured ot the flange of said board top, a movable leaf, and a hinge pin pivotally securing the movable leaf to said fixed leaf, and said movable leaf being secured to the abutting end portion of said holder, said hinge pin being positioned below and outwardly of the centroid of said tubular member so that the end portion of the holder connected to said movable leaf swings in a downwardly and inwardly arc to initially impart a drawing and holding effect on the pad as the holder is moved from inoperative to operative position whereby the holder progressively stretches said pad taut and clamps the pad in moving to operative position, means for locking the other end of the holder to the board top in the operative position, and an accessory sleeve board assembly mounted on said holder and to one side of said board top.

3. An improved ironing board comprising a board top having a circumscribing depending flange, a pad covering said board top and circumscribing flange, a holder for drawing said pad taut and clamping the same in position on said board top, said holder including a single tubular member shaped to extend about the full perimeter of said board top, the ends of said member being disposed in abutting position at one end of the board top, a hinge means pivotally connecting said holder to said top whereby said holder is pivoted between raised-inoperative positions and lowered-operative position, said hinge including a fixed lea-f secured to the flange of said board top, a movable leaf, a hinge pin pivotally securing the movable leaf to said fixed leaf, and said movable leaf being secured to the abutting end portion of said holder, said hinge pin being positioned below and outwardly of the centroid of said tubular member so that the end portion of the holder connected to said movable leaf swings in a downwardly and inwardly arc to initially impart a drawing and holding effect on the pad as the holder is moved from inoperative to operative position whereby said holder progressively stretches said pad taut and clamps the pad in said operative position, means for locking the other end of the holder to the board top in the operative position, and an accessory sleeve board assembly mounted on said holder and to one side of said board top, said accessory sleeve board assembly including sleeve board having a depending post and a clamping means to secure the post of said sleeve board to said holder, said clamping means including two half-sections having projecting prongs adapted to engage cooperating apertures in said holder, and fasteners for securing said half-sections in position on said holder.

4. An improved ironing board comprising a board top having a circumscribing depending flange with an outwardly turned lower edge portion, a pad covering said board top and circumscribing flange, a holder for drawing said pad taut and clamping the same in position on said board top, said holder including a single tubular member shaped to extend about the full perimeter of said board top, the ends of said member being disposed in abutting position at one end of the board top, a hinge means pivotally connecting said holder to said top whereby said holder is pivoted between raised-inoperative position and lowered-operative position, said hinge including a fixed leaf secured to the flange of said board top, a movable leaf, and a hinge pin pivotally securing the movable leaf to said fixed leaf, and said movable leaf being secured to the abutting end portions of said holder, said hinge pin being positioned below and outwardly of the centroid of said tubular member so that the end portion of the holder connected to said movable leaf swings in a downwardly and inwardly arc to initially impart a drawing and holding effect on the pad as the holder is moved from inoperative to operative position whereby said hoider progressively stretches said pad taut and clamps the pad in said operative position, and means for locking the other end of the holder to the board top in the operative position, an accessory sleeve board assembly mounted on said holder and to one side of said board top, said accessory sleeve board assembly including sleeve board having a depending post and a clamping means to secure said sleeve board to said holder, said clamping means including two half-sections having projecting prongs adapted to engage cooperating apertures in said holder, fasteners for securing said half-sections in positions on said holder, said half-sections having aligned bearing holes therein for receiving said post, said post having a transversely extending bore, a dowel pin adapted to be received in said bore to position said post in said bearing holes, and a cooperating depression formed in said upper half section of said clamp for receiving said dowel pin to lock said sleeve board in a desired position and to prevent it from turning.

5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said auxiliary sleeve board includes a sleeve top and a connected depending post, a clamp means adapted to engage said holder, said clamping means having a bearing hole for receiving the post of said sleeve board whereby said sleeve board is positioned above and to one side of said board top.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2 including means for connecting said sleeve board directly to said holder, and means for adjusting said sleeve board above and to one side of said main board top.

7. An improved ironing board comprising a main board top having a depending flange portion, a pad for covering said board top, a holder circumscribing the perimeter of said board top, means for hin'ging said holder to said top for movement between operative and inoperative position, said holder in moving from inoperative to operative position draws and clamps said pad taut, and an auxiliary sleeve board, means for connecting said sleeve board directly to said holder, and means for adjusting said sleeve board above and to one side of said main board top, said means for connecting said sleeve board to said holder includes a clamp comprising a pair of similar complementary half section's substantially U-shaped in crosssection, one side of each half section being formed with projections, said half sections being adapted to eccentrically clamp said holder therebetween, said holder having a set of oppositely disposed holes for receiving the projection of the respective half section for positioning the same relative to said holder, fasteners for securing said half sections together for gripping said holder, each of said half sections having an aligned bearing opening, and said sleeve having a post adapted to be received in said bearing hole, and a dowel pin extending transversely of said post to position the sleeve board at a desired elevation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 192,772 Littlefield July 3, 1877 602,708 Siegfried Apr. 19, 1898 1,006,027 Troth Oct. 17, 1911 1,248,504 Lange Dec. 4, 1917 1,257,116 Ramm Feb. 19, 1918 2,325,493 Fay July 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 617,097 Great Britain Feb. 1, 1949 

1. AN IMPROVED IRONING BOARD COMPRISING A BOARD TOP HAVING A CIRCUMSCRIBING DEPENDING FLANGE, A PAD COVERING SAID BOARD TOP, A HOLDER FOR DRAWING SAID PAD TAUT AND CLAMPING THE SAME IN POSITION ON SAID BOARD TOP, SAID HOLDER INCLUDING A SINGLE TUBULAR MEMBER SHAPED TO EXTEND ABOUT THE FULL PERIMETER OF SAID BOARD TOP, THE ENDS OF SAID MEMBER BEING DISPOSED IN ABUTTING POSITION AT ONE END OF THE BOARD TOP TO DEFINE A CLOSED FIGURE CONFORMING SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE SHAPE OF THE BOARD TOP, AND A HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID HOLDER TO SAID TOP WHEREBY SAID HOLDER IS PIVOTED BETWEEN RAISED-INOPERATIVE POSITIONS AND LOWERED-OPERATIVE POSITIONS, SAID HINGE INCLUDING A FIXED LEAF SECURED TO THE FLANGE OF SAID BOARD TOP, A MOVABLE LEAF, AND A HINGE PIN PIVOTALLY SECURING THE MOVABLE LEAF TO SAID FIXED LEAF, AND SAID MOVABLE LEAF BEING SECURED TO THE ABUTTING END PORTION OF SAID HOLDER, THE AXIS OF SAID HINGE PIN BEING POSITIONED BELOW AND OUTWARDLY OF THE CENTROID OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER SO THAT THE END PORTION OF THE HOLDER CONNECTED TO SAID MOVABLE LEAF SWINGS IN A DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY 